Xias was not reassured that everything would be all right when the blood drained from Elder Shen’s face.
“How can this be?” the man asked. “All omegas must be registered with the council.”
“His former alpha hid him away every time someone from the council came around. Xias didn’t even know omegas were supposed to be registered. He also knew nothing about the clan bonding ritual. It was never performed for him or anyone he knows about.”
“Who is your former alpha, boy?” Elder Shen asked.
“Osamu Ju,” Xias whispered, afraid if he spoke any louder, the man would pop up.
“I met Xias in a cave during a blizzard,” Zhuang continued. “He was on the run because Osamu was trying to kill two of Xias’s cubs simply because they were born female. He only wanted male cub.”
“Cubs?” Elder Shen glanced at Xias before his gaze fell to the sling around Xias’s chest. “You have cubs?”
“Three of them, Father,” Zhuang said. “Would you like to meet your new grandchildren?”
“May I?” the elder asked.
Xias glanced at Zhuang, and when he nodded, Xias pulled the edge of the sling back so the elder could see the sleeping cub strapped to his chest. “This is Bai. Liang and Ying are his sisters. They’re all alphas.”
Xias felt that was important.
He was surprised by the smile on the elder’s face when he looked up from Bai. “All three of them?”
Xias nodded.
The man’s grin grew. “That is simply wonderful.”
“Now, can you see my problem, Father? I need to get Xias registered as well as his cubs, and then I need my clan registered. Osamu is on our tail. He’s already sent men after us a couple of times. He’s out for blood.”
“Right.” Elder Shen headed for his desk. “Take your clan on into my sitting room, Zhuang. I’ll call your mother and have her join us for lunch. While we wait for her to get here, I’ll start the paperwork on registering Xias and his cubs as well as your clan. Is it just the six of you so far?”
“For now,” Zhuang replied. “I imagine more will join us as time goes by.”
“Until they do, I’ll assign some council guards to act as your enforcers. You and Tao can’t fight alone. You need some muscle to back you up.”
“I’d appreciate it, Father.”
Xias swallowed tightly when Elder Shen’s steely blue eyes settled on him again. “Is this what you want, Xias? You have the right to choose any clan you wish, and if you don’t wish to be part of a clan, you can stay here at council headquarters.”
“No, sir.” Xias swallowed again. “I want to be with Zhuang.”
The elder smiled. “I’m glad, but I was honor bound to ask.”
Xias nodded that he understood, although he wasn’t sure if he did. “Does this mean my cubs and I can stay with Zhuang?”
“Yes, it does.”
“And you won’t take my cubs from me?”
Elder Shen glanced at Zhuang for a moment before looking back at Xias. “Son, you’re an omega. Your cubs belong to you.”
“Not in Osamu’s clan. Everything and everyone belongs to him.”
The elder’s head tilted for a moment before a pensive look came over his face. “Xias, I want to ask you something, and I must have your complete honesty. Nothing you say will be held against you—do you understand? No matter what you say, your cubs are your cubs and no one can take them from you. That is shifter law.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is Osamu the cubs’ sire?”
